Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League campaign came to a heartbreaking end after losing 5–4 on penalties to St Éloi Lupopo at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, despite producing a spirited comeback to win the second leg 3–0.

The result saw the tie finish level on aggregate after Lupopo’s commanding 3–0 first-leg victory in Lubumbashi a week earlier, forcing a tense shootout that ended in disappointment for the South African giants.

Their relentless push paid off with three unanswered goals that restored parity in the tie and sent the contest into penalties, raising belief that a memorable turnaround was within reach.

Facing a mountain to climb, the Buccaneers took to the field in Soweto under intense pressure, needing nothing less than a three-goal margin to keep their continental hopes alive.

Backed by a raucous home crowd, Pirates showed early determination and attacking intent as they set about dismantling the deficit.

However, the drama of the shootout proved unforgiving. Pirates held their nerve for much of the sequence but faltered at the decisive moment, allowing the Congolese visitors to seal a famous qualification for the group stage.

The home side made key changes, recalling Deon Hotto and Sipho Mbule as Pirates began with intent, dominating early possession.

Despite their attacking momentum, Lupopo’s defence stood firm and nearly struck first when Wanet Kashala forced a fine save from Sipho Chaine midway through the first half.

Pirates responded five minutes before the interval through Masindi Nemtajela, who surged forward and fired home to give the hosts hope.

But the mood quickly shifted when tempers flared, leading to a red card for Tshepang Moremi for the home team and also a sending off for the visitors.

The Soweto outfit continued to press in the second half, with Oswin Appollis and Mbuthuma both testing the visiting goalkeeper.

The South Africans extended their lead when Mbuthuma headed in a corner to spark hopes for the home fans. 

Pirates appeared to have sealed a comeback when Appollis’ late strike made it 3–0 on the day, forcing the tie into penalties.

However, in the decisive shootout, Mbuthuma missed the final kick as Lupopo held their nerve to advance to the group stage — leaving Pirates to reflect on another painful continental exit.

For the Congolese side, it marks a historic qualification, while Pirates will now turn their focus back to domestic competition after another CAF campaign cut short by narrow margins.

Petro de Luanda march into next round with dominant aggregate win

Angolan powerhouse Petro de Luanda have booked their place in the group stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League  after completing a commanding 4-0 aggregate victory over Stade d’Abidjan of Côte d’Ivoire.

Following their 2-0 first-leg triumph in Abidjan, Petro carried a healthy advantage into the return leg in Luanda — and made no mistake in front of their home supporters. The Angolan giants delivered another polished performance, securing a second consecutive 2-0 victory to seal progression in style.

Buoyed by the electric atmosphere at the Estádio 11 de Novembro, Petro imposed their rhythm early in the game. Their slick passing and relentless pressing pinned the visitors deep, and it wasn’t long before they broke the deadlock through a well-taken strike midway through the first half.

A second goal after the break — the product of a flowing team move — put the result beyond doubt and underlined Petro’s attacking efficiency.

For Stade d’Abidjan, it was a learning experience against one of the continent’s most organized and experienced outfits. Despite flashes of quality, the Ivorians struggled to cope with Petro’s pace and precision.

With a perfect record and no goals conceded across both legs, Petro de Luanda march confidently into the next phase, reaffirming their ambition to make a deep run into the competition.

Al Ahly advance to group stages after narrow win over Aigle Noir

Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC have confirmed their place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage after edging Aigle Noir 1-0 in the second leg at the Cairo International Stadium. The victory sealed a 2-0 aggregate win for the record champions, keeping their legacy in Africa’s premier club competition intact.

After a goalless first half, the decisive moment arrived in the 58th minute when Omar Kamal struck, giving the Red Devils the advantage they needed to progress. Despite Aigle Noir’s determined efforts to equalize, Al Ahly’s experience and tactical discipline ensured they held on for the win.

Coming into the match with a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Al Ahly controlled the tempo and created several scoring opportunities, though the visitors defended resolutely. The solitary goal, however, was enough to see the home side through comfortably.

The win continues Al Ahly’s impressive run in the competition, as the club now looks forward to the group stage with confidence. With a record 12 titles, Al Ahly will aim to extend their continental dominance.

For Aigle Noir, their valiant campaign ends here, but the experience of facing Africa’s most successful club will be invaluable as they look to strengthen for future tournaments

SOURCE: CAF ONLINE